“I plan to place our Bible prominently in the Chief Judge’s chamber in New Orleans as a reminder to all who visit that we, no less than the [U.S.] Supreme Court, remember our judgments are ultimately subject to a Divine standard.”

– Edith H. Jones, Chief Judge,

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

So wrote Chief Judge Edith H. Jones in a very kind letter to us at American Judicial Alliance after we placed a “Harlan” Bible in her hands for safekeeping.

Chief Judge Edith H. Jones, center, receives a Harlan Bible from Jason Stern (L) and Retired Judge Darrell White (R) for the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

This year, Jason Stern and I have traveled to several states dedicating Bibles to courts, sharing the message of the Gospel and the Constitution with churches and civic groups, but I must say that we were pleased to be allowed the privilege of dedicating a Bible to the highest federal court possible under the Supreme Court.

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals is composed of twenty one judges who rule on cases appealed from district courts located in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

While talking to Judge Jones, I made mention of America’s first Chief Justice John Jay’s name, which is chiseled on the lintel corner of the 5th Circuit’s building, and referenced Jay’s quote:

“The Bible is the best of all books, for it is the word of God and teaches us the way to be happy in this world and in the next. Continue therefore to read it and to regulate your life by its precepts.”

I couldn’t help but to also mention John Jay’s solid faith in the Bible as demonstrated by his last words. He was asked if he had anything he wanted his children to know, to which he replied,

“They have the Book.”

Aside from dedicating the Bible to the 5^th Circuit, we also distributed laminated copies of the “Prayer for the Judge’s Bench,” which on the obverse side includes prayers by President George Washington and Chief Justice John Jay.  Jay, who was a president of the American Bible Society, wrote:

“Most merciful Father! … Above all, I thank thee for thy mercy to our fallen race, as declared in thy holy gospel by thy beloved Son, “who gave himself a ransom for all.” …

Give me grace also to love my neighbor as myself, and wisely and diligently to do the duties incumbent upon me according to thy holy will, and because it is thy holy will, and not from worldly considerations …

Let thy Holy Spirit lead and keep me in the way in which I should walk, and enable me to commit myself entirely to thy kind and gracious providence and protection as to all my spiritual and temporal concerns….

These heartfelt words are from the pen of a fellow who had been President of the Continental Congress, an author of the Federalist Papers, Chief Justice of the United States, and Governor of New York.

It is our plan to continue to bring this message of hope, history and grace to courts all over America and give them courage to stand up for God like the Founding Fathers did!

“We have the Book!”

Your donations make this plan, and more, possible.   Please remember us today by clicking here.

We have been hit by the same budgetary slump that faces all of America right now, but we know that a brighter day for our children and grandchildren can be around the corner if we do not give up hope.

“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”  – Galatians6:9

Thank you for allowing us to be your ambassadors.

Darrell White

P.S. Thank you in advance for your prayers and donation. We think of you often and pray that God will bless your finances, family and home. Your gift is most needed at this time.

Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson with Retired Justice Raul Gonzalez and five justices of the Supreme Court of Texas receive a Court Presentation Bible as Retired Judge Darrell White holds the Harlan Bible replica.

American Judicial Alliance (AJA) promotes the respect due to courts and judicial officers by recapturing the vitality of America’s Organic Laws.

AJA is a coalition of concerned citizens affirming that the integrity, legitimacy and public favor of America’s judiciary are best served by interpreting laws, including the Constitution, according to the documents’ text and structure, giving due regard to legislative intent.

By placing commemorative signatory Bibles in America’s courts – in the tradition of Justice John Marshall Harlan (1833-1911) who donated a Bible to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1906 – AJA is “Awakening the Conscience of One Nation Under God.”

Presently, AJA has dedicated approximately 150 Bibles to courts in Louisiana, Florida, Massachusetts, Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas.  These Court Presentation Bibles follow the tradition of the U.S. Supreme Court’s “Harlan Bible.”  On March 12^th, 1906, Justice John Marshall Harlan dedicated a Bible to the Court. Since that date, every U.S. Supreme Court justice has signed the Bible’s flyleaf, a tradition now being replicated across America by American Judicial Alliance.

Judge White Dedicating Bibles to Five Houston Courts

Support and coverage of AJA’s mission has come from Supreme Court justices, active and retired judges, newspapers, magazines, and concerned citizens.

Recent Gallup polling data shows that America’s confidence in our Supreme Court is on the decline.  AJA, in keeping with the “Lawyer’s Oath,” seeks to “maintain the respect due to Courts of Justice and judicial officers.”

In bringing its message across America, AJA gives special attention to the American System of Law and the American Way of Life.

Our end goal is to establish a nationwide network of like-minded judges and patriots who stand in support of reforming the judicial system according to an original intent interpretation of the U.S. Constitution.

“I am very grateful for the work that AJA is doing. Our nation was founded on Biblical principles. When we forget those principles, we sow the seeds for the destruction of our society. You have done a great work reminding us from whence we have come.” - Retired Judge Paul Pressler

Now is a great time to send in your year end gift to take the Gospel to the Courts.  Click the “Giving” tab to help American Judicial Alliance “Awaken the Conscience of One Nation Under God.”  We appreciate you so much!

Worried about America’s Future? We have Answers.  Become a member of American Judical Alliance today.

This handy trifold brochure can be viewed, emailed and downloaded for print:

Color Version (6 MB)

Black and White Version (1.5 MB)

Help the work of American Judicial Alliance.  Become a member today!

Appealing to a Higher Court

Retired Judge Brings Bibles to the Bench

By Tom Bonnette, The Franklin Sun, May 12th, 2010, Page 7A

Fifth Judicial District Court Judge Rudy Mclntyre (left) holds a copy of the Harlan Bible presented to him by retired Baton Rouge City Judge Darrell White. Also pictured is Jason Stern, vice president of the American Judicial Alliance. (Sun photo by Tom Bonnette)

The Bible is a fundamental building block of our nation’s legal system and retired Baton Rouge City Judge Darrell White wants to make sure that isn’t forgotten. White, who is on a quest to place “Harlan Bibles” in every courtroom in the country, is founder of the American Judicial Alliance, a non-profit research and education organization dedicated to “awaken the conscience of one nation under God” by recapturing the vitality of America’s organic laws – the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. He was in Franklin Parish Friday at the Winnsboro Rotary Club’s monthly luncheon at Brown’s Landing to ask for prayers and support.

“We are asking people like you, who think that this is important, to help us to put one of these Bibles in every single courtroom in America,” White said. The Bible is a replica of the Bible donated by to the U.S. Supreme Court by Justice John Marshall Harlan in 1906. The original Harlan Bible is kept by the Supreme Court Curator and holds the signatures of every U.S. Supreme Court Justice since 1906 when it was donated. Judges have been invited to sign the inside leaflets of the more than 100 Bibles donated by the Retired Judges of America that White has helped place in courtrooms over the last few years.

He believes the Bibles will serve as a reminder that we are “one nation under God” and that the U.S. Constitution should be the guiding factor in our judicial system.  “It’s the supreme law of the land. Unless we pay attention to it, it’s just so many words,” White said. “The question is whether or not we are going to follow the Constitution and adhere to it.”

A Harlan Bible donated to the Fifth Judicial District Court by the RJA a year ago that is signed by Judge E. Rudolph Mclntyre and Judge Terry A. Doughty was on display at the luncheon.  To help White place similar Bibles in other courtrooms, the Winnsboro Rotary Club donated $150.  More is needed, said Jason Stern, vice president of AJA.  “Every little bit that we can gather together helps us make a difference in bringing back our nation to the nation of our founders for the next generation,” Stern said.  Justice Harlan is best remembered as the lone dissenting voice in the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson case, in which a Louisiana statue that called for “equal but separate accommodations for the white and colored races” was upheld as constitutional. To help the RJA and AJA donate Bibles, call (225) 615-7337.

“I am so impressed with the great work you are doing! You have a powerful team working with you. America needs you more than ever.  You give me hope!”
– William J. Federer, Jr.
Speaker and best-selling Author

“More than anything, thank you for the Harlan Bible. Our nine judges all thank you for your kindness and your effort!”
– Judge Harmon Drew, Jr.
Louisiana 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal

“I appreciate your efforts to restore some morality in our courts.”
– Retired Judge William N. Knight
31^st Judicial District Court of Louisiana

“The judges are already tracking down their predecessors to have each one sign the Bible you presented in the tradition of the Supreme Court. Thanks again!”
–Retired Judge Tim Taft
Texas First Court of Appeals

What Supreme Court Justices are saying about the Harlan Bible:

“It was a thrilling moment when I signed my name in the Bible which…contains the signatures of all the Justices for the past 100 years. Thank you for sending your article…. I found it inspiring. 
–Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr.

“I read with special interest your account of the first Justice Harlan and his Bible.… Thank you for an engaging pause in the day’s occupations.”
—Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Click here to join American Judicial Alliance

Help us take this message across America! Join American Judicial Alliance Today!

You can read the full article, “Historical Significance of a Kentucky Colonel Named Harlan,” as published in the Baton Rouge Bar Journal by clicking here.

Here are a few of these interesting letters:

Click to read Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Letter

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Click to read Clarence Thomas Letter

Clarence Thomas Letter

Click to read Samuel Alito’s Letter 

Samuel Alito Letter

Now working fulltime at AJA, Jason is developing new approaches to our communications presence and helping to develop donor relations. His wise leadership and increased involvement will multiply our effectiveness as an organization as we engage courts throughout the nation. In addition, new interns, including a few young attorneys, are joining us as our team continues to expand.

It is thrilling to watch God equipping American Judicial Alliance for an active year!